Registrations have opened!
2026 NSW ECLS Symposium
Monday 23 November 2026
Kerry Packer Education Centre, RPA Hospital precinct
About the symposium
The 2026 NSW ECLS Symposium will feature a diverse program of expert presentations, patient-centred discussions and practical case-based learning. Sessions will explore current challenges and emerging approaches in extracorporeal life support, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary care and collaboration across the NSW ECLS network.
Participants will have opportunities to exchange experiences, compare practices between centres and identify ways to strengthen the quality and consistency of ECLS care throughout NSW.
We invite you to come and join us in this annual multidisciplinary education event.
Catering included in registration.
Restiration link: https://tas.currinda.com/register/event/2545
PROGRAM
| Monday 23 November 2026 | |||
| 8:45 am | Registration | ||
| 9:00 to 09:05am | Welcome | ||
| 9:05 to 09:15 | Introduction | Lewis McLean / Sharon-Ann Shunker
Co-chairs ICNSW ECMO Education Group |
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| 09:15 to 09:45 | Cardiogenic shock and the ACI Cardiogenic Shock CPG | Mark Dennis | |
| 09:45 to 10:15
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Haemodynamic effects of VA-ECMO: Does VA ECMO increase LVEDP and LV work? Separating fact from fiction – is it time to rewrite the textbooks? | Rajat Kalra | |
| 10:15 to 10:45 | Morning tea | ||
| 10:45 to 11:15 | Anticoagulation for ECMO | Tim Southwood / Ruan Vlok | |
| 11:15 to 11:45 | Panel Discussion: Blood Management in ECMO | Hergen Buscher | |
| 11:45 to 12:15 | Research presentation: Retrospective cohort of MFP use at a transplant centre in NSW | Jamie Andrews | |
| 12:15 to 12:45 | The role of ECPELLA and hypothermic machine perfusion in decompensated giant cell myocarditis. | Claude Soto | |
| 1245 to 1315 | Paediatric ECMO – multimodal interventions (ECMO, CRRT, TPE) | Sandra Charlton/Marino Festa | |
| 13:15 to 13:45 | Lunch | ||
| 13:45 to 14:15 | An ECMO patient story | Michelle and George Smiroldo | |
| 14:15 to 14:45 | Analysing results of ECMO rehab – what it means from an allied health perspective | Elise Crothers | |
| 1445 to 1615 | Roundtable Discussion
Participants will work through case-based scenarios, share their own practical experience and compare approaches across ECLS centres.
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| Rotating groups | Group 1 — ECPELLA: service implementation and transport A case-based discussion exploring the development of an MCRS service, patient selection, multidisciplinary coordination and the practical considerations involved in transporting patients receiving Impella or ECPELLA support. Lewis McLean / Mitchell Tisdell / Sarah Birch |
Group 2 — VV-ECMO for severe asthma A case-based discussion examining patient selection, timing of ECMO initiation, management priorities, ventilation and weaning strategies, and approaches to supporting patients with severe refractory asthma for adults and paediatrics. Tim Southwood / Sandra Charlton / Mariepaz Hazell |
Group 3 — VA-ECMO A case-based discussion exploring clinical decision-making, management challenges and different centre-based approaches to caring for patients receiving VA-ECMO, including discussion of bleeding and anticoagulation challenges. Peter McCanny/ Dave Gale / Ruaidhri Carey |
| 16:15 to 16:45 | Q&A on Standardised approach to ECMO Education and Training | ||
| 16:45 to 17:00 | Evaluation and close | ||
